Sipapu to Open a New Lift

Sipapu to Open a New Lift on Friday

General Public Invited to Help Name It

VADITO, NM - This Friday, when Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort opens for daily operations, the ski area will open a brand new lift, too.

The magic carpet lift, which resembles a moving walkway found in airports, glides along flush with the surface of the snow to offer beginners an easier way to practice their skills before they ride a chair lift.

Mountain crews recently completed installing Sipapu’s 90-foot magic carpet in the ski school area, located steps from the main lodge. Having the new lift will improve the learning experience at Sipapu, said Sue Leslie, Sipapu’s director of snow sports.

“The magic carpet will make learning to ski or snowboard so much easier and even more fun,” she said.

Guests new to snow sports currently spend a lot of time and energy side-stepping or climbing to reach the top of the hill in Sipapu’s practice area, Leslie said. Beginning Friday, the magic carpet will transport skiers and snowboarders up the hill in less than 90 seconds.

The new lift has not yet been named, and resort officials are inviting the public to help with this task.

From now until closing day (tentatively scheduled for April 10, 2011 – Sipapu has been the last resort to close in New Mexico for the past seven seasons), people may submit their name ideas to [email protected].

With the addition of the magic carpet, Sipapu now offers guests five lifts (two chair lifts, two surface lifts and one magic carpet).

Sipapu will be open everyday beginning this Friday, December 10; lifts will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. (visitors are encouraged to check the snow report at www.SipapuNM.com for the latest conditions).

Early season lift tickets (available until December 10) are $20 for adults (ages 21-59), and $15 for teens (ages 13-20), kids (ages 7-12) and seniors (ages 60-69). From December 11-17, lift tickets are $25 for adults, $19 for teens and seniors, and $15 for kids.

Fourth graders, kids ages six and younger, guests who are 40 years old, and seniors 70 or better ski and snowboard free everyday at Sipapu.

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort launched New Mexico’s ski and snowboarding season in record-breaking fashion on November 20 as the resort clenched the title of first resort to open in the state for the eighth consecutive year.

For New Mexico’s inaugural ski and snowboarding day, Sipapu broke attendance and terrain records: skier visits were up about 25 percent over last year’s Opening Day, and Sipapu had more terrain available than any other Opening Day in recent history. For complete information about Sipapu, visit www.SipapuNM.com.

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About Sipapu

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort is New Mexico’s fastest growing ski resort. Located just 20 miles southeast of Taos and two hours north of Albuquerque, Sipapu offers family-friendly, family fun to all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Family-owned and operated since 1952, Sipapu is home to New Mexico’s longest ski season and the best deals in the Rockies. The resort is surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Carson National Forest, and features over 40 trails, five lifts and two terrain parks. On-site amenities include slope-side lodging, a full-service ski shop, ski school and gourmet home cooking at the Riverside Café.